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philanthropy

Easter Seals South Florida | Small Miracles [Video]

by Dan Perez May 31, 2016

This past spring, I was contracted by the good folks at Easter Seals South Florida to produce a video to be shown at their Small Miracles luncheon, one of their biggest yearly fundraising events. Now, for those of you still unfamiliar with what Easter Seals does, here’s a little history:

Two-thirds of a century ago, in the midst of a polio epidemic, many children in Greater Miami needed therapy and education and could not get those services in public schools. Filling that need was a new organization then called the Crippled Children’s Society. From those days in a church basement has come Easter Seals, who offer a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals.

In 2006 Easter Seals Miami-Dade merged with Easter Seals of Broward County, gaining more strength in early intervention and autism. Now as Easter Seals South Florida, they serve more than 2,500 individuals and families in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, employing 250 South Florida residents and engaging more than a thousand volunteers.

Through programs like the Easter Seals South Florida Child Development Center, Autism Elementary School, and their Adult Day Services, which offers programs and resources to help provide the best possible care for a spouse, parent, adult child or loved one who needs assistance with daily living, Easter Seals South Florida provides exceptional services so that people living with autism, Alzheimer’s and other disabilities can live, learn, work and play in their communities.

Nationally, Easter Seals assists more than one million children and adults with disabilities and their families annually through a nationwide network of more than 450 service sites. Each center provides top-quality, family-focused and innovative services tailored to meet the specific needs of the particular community it serves.

It was a great pleasure to have been of service to an organization such as Easter Seals South Florida. As for the Small Miracles Luncheon, it was a great success raising over $200,000 for the organization. I’d like to think my video had just a little bit to do with that. Oh, and if you’re interested in volunteering, taking a tour of their facilities or making a donation to Easter Seals South Florida, contact Marta Quintana at marta.quintana@sfl.easterseals.com

Enjoy the video…

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzJjqdymnwI[/youtube]

May 31, 2016

Blog

From Cuba to New Jersey: The Rags-to-Riches story of Michael Fux

by Dan Perez February 23, 2014

written by Dan Perez

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rxLmFXzouQ[/youtube]

To several hundred children in South Florida, businessman Michael Fux has become a real-life Santa Claus. You see, since 2004, he has provided holiday gifts to over 300 underprivileged patients and families of Miami Children’s Hospital at his annual holiday event. Social workers at the hospital identify the neediest children and sometime in November, they get to select their gifts. Oh, and they can choose whatever they want. You heard right.

Fux grew up poor, arriving in the US from Cuba in 1958 with his family when he was 15 years old. He lived with his parents and brother in a one-bedroom apartment in a seven-story walkup in Newark, New Jersey. Since then, Fux has gone from selling used tires and recharged car batteries to a multi-millionaire in the foam bedding industry. He’s also become a self-proclaimed “car freak” with a collection of 129 vehicles, including 25 Ferraris, 12 Porches, 11 Aston Martins and six Rolls-Royces. His Ferrari FXX is one of only 20 in the world. He’s a remarkable rags-to-riches story…but he’s never forgotten where he came from.

Fux has always had a soft spot for underprivileged children, especially those who are ill. Fux donated 1 million dollars to Miami Children’s Hospital to help create the Michael Fux Family Center which opened in late 2009. This beautiful and welcoming facility helps make families feel more at home while their children are hospitalized. It features showers and laundry facilities, a small workout gym and massage room, kitchen, and a mini movie theater. It’s become a much-needed haven for parents who spend whole days at the hospital while their children are being cared for.

This year’s event brought out regular volunteers like former NBA star Alonzo Mourning, DJ Irie (the official DJ of the Miami Heat) and 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan. The children and families also enjoyed a surprise performance by Danielle Bradbery, winner of NBC’s “The Voice” in 2013. Also in attendance, personally handing out gifts to the children, was Michael Fux. “Writing a check is easy but never brings you the joy of being with the actual children and seeing their faces”, says Fux. “So I sometimes say to people that I’m very selfish because I do this because it makes me happy.”

I’ve filmed this event several times for Mr. Fux in the past, but this year, the idea was to create a short film that will take viewers behind the scenes and illustrate the effort that goes into this type of event. I mean, besides the preparation of several hundred gifts, there’s also food and entertainment for all the children and families. Fux hopes to induce additional sponsors to get involved and grow the event from 300+ children to several thousand. So, scroll back up to the top of the post and enjoy the the short documentary-style film I shot and edited that shows how “selfish” Michael Fux really is.

[Photographs by Carlos Cuba]

Did you know that video promotion is over 6 times more effective than print and online? If you’re not using video to promote your product, service or event, maybe it’s time you did. Feel free to contact us to discuss how we can help tell your company or organization’s unique story…

Like us on facebook and you’ll make us really happy; we’re not sure why, though, but studies have shown that people who like our facebook page are 37% cooler than people who don’t…

February 23, 2014

Corporate Dravet Syndrome Giving Back

Dravet Syndrome Foundation: “Alex’s Story”

by Dan Perez September 30, 2012

written by Dan Perez

[This is the fourth of five videos I produced for the Dravet Syndrome Foundation]

WHAT IS DRAVET SYNDROME?

Dravet syndrome, also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), is a rare and catastrophic form of intractable epilepsy that begins in infancy. Initial seizures are most often prolonged events and in the second year of life other seizure types begin to emerge. Development remains on track initially, with plateaus and a progressive decline typically beginning in the second year of life.

Children with Dravet syndrome do not outgrow this condition and it affects every aspect of their daily lives.

The Dravet Syndrome Foundation is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization dedicated to aggressively raising research funds for Dravet syndrome and related conditions. By offering research grants for syndrome-specific research with a novel approach, the DSF can move researchers and the medical community forward to find better treatments and a cure while assisting afflicted individuals and their families.

This is Alex’s story…

Dravet Syndrome Foundation: Alex’s Story from DanPerezFilms on Vimeo.

NOTE: “Team Dalpe” raised nearly $10,000 at this year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Providence Half Marathon back in August. Cheers!

Join the Dravet Syndrome Foundation at the Steps Toward A Cure in Monroe, CT, on Sunday, October 14th. This fun, family-friendly event includes, a 1.5-mile family walk, refreshments, teacup raffle and kids’ activities. It will be held at Great Hollow Lake in Monroe. Proceeds benefit Dravet Syndrome Foundation.

Did you know that video promotion is over 6 times more effective than print and online? If you’re not using video to promote your product or service, maybe it’s time you did. Feel free to contact us to discuss how we can help tell your company or organization’s unique story…

Like us on facebook and you’ll make us really happy; we’re not sure why, though, but studies have shown that people who like our facebook page are 37% cooler than people who don’t…

September 30, 2012

Corporate Dravet Syndrome Giving Back

Dravet Syndrome Foundation: “Maddie’s Story”

by Dan Perez September 23, 2012

written by Dan Perez

[This is the third of five videos I produced for the Dravet Syndrome Foundation]

WHAT IS DRAVET SYNDROME?

Children with Dravet syndrome do not outgrow this condition and it affects every aspect of their daily lives.

This is Maddie’s story…

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/48117617[/vimeo]

Like us on facebook and you’ll make us really happy; we’re not sure why, though, but studies have shown that people who like our facebook page are 37% cooler than people who don’t…

September 23, 2012

Corporate Dravet Syndrome Giving Back

Dravet Syndrome Foundation: “Andrew’s Story”

by Dan Perez September 16, 2012

written by Dan Perez

[This is the second of five videos I produced for the Dravet Syndrome Foundation]

WHAT IS DRAVET SYNDROME?

Children with Dravet syndrome do not outgrow this condition and it affects every aspect of their daily lives.

Back in 2010, I produced a video on Dravet syndrome for Miami Children’s Hospital. Earlier this year, I was contacted by the Dravet Syndrome Foundation (who came across that same video online) to produce a series of videos that would bring to light the challenges faced by the children and families suffering through this debilitating illness. This is the second of a series of five videos I shot during the weekend of the foundation’s annual signature event in Greenwich, Connecticut, Ciara’s Butterfly Bash.

This is Andrew’s story…

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/48117618[/vimeo]

Should you know someone who’s children may be suffering from Dravet Syndrome or Dravet-like symptoms, please pass on this video and have them contact the Dravet Syndrome Foundation at www.DravetFoundation.org.

Thank you.

Like us on facebook and you’ll make us really happy; we’re not sure why, though, but studies have shown that people who like our facebook page are 37% cooler than people who don’t…

September 16, 2012

Corporate Dravet Syndrome Giving Back

Dravet Syndrome Foundation: “Norah’s Story”

by Dan Perez September 9, 2012

written by Dan Perez

WHAT IS DRAVET SYNDROME?

Children with Dravet syndrome do not outgrow this condition and it affects every aspect of their daily lives.

Back in 2010, I produced a video on Dravet syndrome for Miami Children’s Hospital. Earlier this year, I was contacted by the Dravet Syndrome Foundation (who came across that same video online) to produce a series of videos that would bring to light the challenges faced by the children and families suffering through this debilitating illness. This is the first of a series of five videos I shot during the weekend of the foundation’s annual signature event in Greenwich, Connecticut, Ciara’s Butterfly Bash.

This is Norah’s story…

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/48180408[/vimeo]

Thank you.

Like us on facebook and you’ll make us really happy; we’re not sure why, though, but studies have shown that people who like our facebook page are 37% cooler than people who don’t…

September 9, 2012

Corporate Giving Back Sound and Vision The Written Word

CHARLEE Homes for Children: Adoption, Independent Living, & Reunification

by Dan Perez May 20, 2012

written by Dan Perez

CHARLEE (Children Have All Rights: Legal, Educational and Emotional) is a private not-for-profit agency that cares for children ages 0-23 years old in Miami-Dade County who have been placed in foster care due to abuse, abandonment and neglect or are at risk of being placed in foster care. For the past 28 years, CHARLEE has helped thousands of children in the foster care system begin a new life.

For the past three years, I have produced fund-raising videos for CHARLEE Homes for Children and have gotten to know the dedicated people behind the vital services they provide to the South Florida community. With a committed staff of over 150 employees and a core of dedicated volunteers and interns, CHARLEE has served thousands of children in Miami-Dade’s foster care system. Throughout the years, they have expanded their programs and services to meet the needs of the many children in their care.

Here are just three examples of the types of services they provide…

ADOPTION

CHARLEE’s mission is to provide exceptional services to abused, abandoned, and neglected children. One of the ways they achieve that goal is by educating prospective parents through the Parenting Resources for Information, Development and Education (PRIDE) program which is designed to strengthen the quality of family foster care and adoption services. Through the program, CHARLEE has been able to finalize close to 100 adoptions each year.

INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM

Most youth learn the skills needed to live independently through their parents, guardians and/or extended family. Unfortunately, many youth in foster care do not have the opportunity to learn these skills at home either because they are moving from placement to placement or they are living in a large institutional facility where these skills are not stressed. Ultimately, the experience of life in foster care combined with the added stress of being unprepared for independent living has a multitude of negative implications for these youth. The CHARLEE life skills training curriculum consists of bi-weekly workshops for youth between the ages of 13 and 17. These workshops focus on the tools necessary for our children to achieve self-sufficiency and independence.

REUNIFICATION

Research shows that a child is better poised to succeed in life when he or she is able to thrive within the original family, as opposed to entering into foster care. Keeping that in mind, the goal at CHARLEE is to provide families with all the necessary tools to provide a healthy and happy environment for the child. At CHARLEE, they always seek to achieve permanency for the children in their care by reuniting them with their biological parents. In the case of Tondaleeia, that included helping her overcome her 17 year drug addiction.

For more information, visit www.charlee.org. And whether you live in South Florida or in another part of the country, get to know more about the foster care/adoption organizations in your area – and get involved. Nationwide, there are close to half a million children living in foster care. 20,000 of these youth emancipate or “age out” of the foster care system, and are discharged from the system, whether or not they
are prepared to transition to adulthood. Moreover, 25% of former foster youth will be incarcerated within the first 2 years of emancipation.

Surely, there’s a little something we all can do to make a difference in the lives of these children and their families…

Don’t you think?

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May 20, 2012

Giving Back

Rett Syndrome: The leading cause of severe impairment in girls

by Dan Perez October 2, 2011

written by Dan Perez

It is a unique developmental disorder that is first recognized in infancy and is the leading cause of severe impairment in girls. It causes problems in brain function that are responsible for cognitive, sensory, emotional, motor and autonomic function. It has been most often misdiagnosed as autism, cerebral palsy, or non-specific developmental delay. It strikes all racial and ethnic groups, and occurs worldwide in 1 of every 10,000 to 15,000 female births. It is Rett Syndrome and, surprisingly, the general public still doesn’t know very much about it.

South Florida recording artist Ayme Loren is looking to change this.

When she first heard about Rett syndrome and was introduced to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF), Ayme knew she could use music to help raise awareness for the cause. Inspired by the stories of many families, she composed the song, “Silent Angels” to help guide efforts toward raising funds for research to better understand the cause for this rare disorder.

Here’s a short PSA I produced for Ayme to help her get the message out…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiEaZ3bVRIc[/youtube]

Download “Silent Angels” for only $4.99 and make a donation to help raise funds for research. 100% of all donations are given to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF).

To find out more about ways you can help, please visit http://www.rettsyndrome.org.

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October 2, 2011

Giving Back

CHARLEE Homes for Children

by Dan Perez May 28, 2011

written by Dan Perez

CHARLEE (Children Have All Rights: Legal, Educational and Emotional) is a private not-for-profit agency that cares for children ages 0-23 years old in Miami-Dade County who have been placed in foster care due to abuse, abandonment and neglect. For almost 30 years, CHARLEE has helped thousands of children in the foster care system begin a new life. With the privatization of the child welfare system in 2005, CHARLEE has doubled in size, providing service to approximately 800-1,000 children annually.

For the second year in a row, I was asked to produce a video for the organization’s “Spring for CHARLEE” fundraising luncheon. Last year’s video helped make the event the most successful ever and produced more first-time donors than any other year. Was it the video? Well, we sure like to think so but see for yourself…

For more information on CHARLEE Homes for Children, please visit: http://www.charlee.org

Subscribe in a reader and never miss a new post. You won’t be sorry…promise.

May 28, 2011

Giving Back

Real-Life Santa Claus Michael Fux

by Dan Perez March 12, 2011

written by Dan Perez

Since 2004, businessman Michael Fux, who arrived penniless from Cuba as a young boy with his family, has been a real-life Santa Claus providing holiday gifts to over 300 underprivileged patients & families of Miami Children’s Hospital. This was the third straight year that I was asked to produce a video for the event and it has become one of my favorites. Just seeing all the smiles on the faces of these children makes it worth attending.

Janet Bell-Taylor, Director of Patient Family Services at Miami Children’s Hospital, works closely with her department to identify children who would be hosted at the event. “He is Santa to so many”, said Bell-Taylor. “And his generosity to Miami Children’s Hospital exceeds this particular event.” Fux also donated 1 million dollars to the hospital to help create the Michael Fux Family Center which opened in late 2009. This beautiful and welcoming facility helps make families feel more at home while their children are hospitalized. It features showers and laundry facilities, a small workout gym and massage room, kitchen, and a mini movie theater.

“There is a lot of work that goes into the event, but its all worth it to see the faces of these children and their families”, said Fux, who arrived penniless from Cuba as a young boy with his family. “Giving a check is easy – this is something I love doing.”

What are you doing to help make a difference to those in need?

Featuring “New Hero” performed by Stephanie Carcache